Regional

1:57 pm

Wed July 28, 2010

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Police are encouraging residents to use caution when dealing with potentially bogus door-to-door sales people who claim to be selling home security systems.

Residents of a High Range neighborhood have reported a pair of door-to-door solicitors who have become argumentative with homeowners who refuse to talk with them. A handful of homeowners have reported that the solicitors claim to be representing a home security business and have asked in-depth questions about current alarm or security systems.

The questioning, and the confrontational approach the men are using, leads police to believe that the solicitors are gathering information for potentially illegal reasons.

The men are described as possibly brothers, white and in their mid- to late-20's. The men are said to each be around 5-feet-11-inches tall and weigh approximately 195 pounds.

In the past few years police have received reports of illegitimate door-to-door solicitations for security alarms, magazine subscriptions and re-roofing work - especially in the days and weeks following heavy rains. While some solicitations may be valid business, others may be unlawful and potentially harmful to consumers.

Las Cruces Police are suggesting that residents refrain from providing personal and financial information to door-to-door solicitors or any solicitors who arrive at your doorstep uninvited. Furthermore, residents should always exercise caution when answering the door to anyone.

Just as consumers are warned about providing personal or financial information over the telephone, the same caution should be exercised when dealing with neighborhood solicitors.

Residents who have information on potentially illegitimate door-to-door solicitors are asked to call police at (575) 526-0795. If there appears to be an immediate threat, residents should call 911.